Manipulator Drive Status Detection via Luminaire Wavelengths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manipulator devices struggle with difficult and cumbersome detection of drive status, particularly when monitoring multiple devices simultaneously, making it hard to identify malfunctions quickly.

Innovation Solution

A manipulator device with a display unit comprising spaced or adjacent luminaire elements that emit electromagnetic waves in different wavelength ranges, controlled by a control unit to indicate drive states, allowing easy identification of drive status and potential overloads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If display means comprises several luminaire elements that can be switched on or off in a time-shifted manner, then the detection of drive status becomes easy and quick, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive status detectionVSAvoiddisplay unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by using luminaire elements that emit electromagnetic waves in different wavelength ranges (colors) to indicate different drive states. The control unit switches these luminaire elements on or off in a time-shifted manner to visually represent the drive status of drive means, making detection easy and quick while using a relatively simple display structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Device complexity

If one display unit is assigned to several components of the manipulator device, then the device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to quickly identify current problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay unit assignmentVSAvoidproblem identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the display function into multiple luminaire elements within a single display unit, where each luminaire element can be independently controlled to represent different drive states of different drive means. This segmentation allows one display unit to monitor multiple components while maintaining clear problem identification through distinct visual indicators for each drive means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If luminous elements emit electromagnetic waves in different wavelength ranges, then different drive states can be easily detected, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive state differentiationVSAvoiddisplay means fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing luminaire elements that can emit electromagnetic waves in different wavelength ranges (different colors) to represent different drive states. The control unit manages these different wavelength emissions by switching luminaire elements on or off in a time-shifted manner, enabling easy differentiation of drive states while using standard manufacturing approaches for multi-color LED or luminaire assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables clear and quick detection of drive status and overloads through visible light indicators, enhancing operational safety and efficiency by providing immediate visual cues on power output and movement direction.

Implementation Method 1

the display means of the display unit comprises several luminaire elements which are spaced apart from each other or arranged adjacent to each other and which can be switched on or off again by the control unit in a time-shifted manner to emit electromagnetic waves in at least one wavelength range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from luminaire elements: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3885082B1Manipulator device and method for operating a manipulator device
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 M ROBOT OHG
  • EP3885082B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3885082B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a manipulator device (2), such as an industrial robot, by which forces and moments of a load can be absorbed, with at least one manipulator arm (4) having at least two arm bodies (6) movable relative to each other, with at least one drive unit (8) comprising at least one drive means (10) which can be arranged on or in the manipulator arm (4) and by which the arm bodies (6) can be driven so as to be movable relative to each other, with at least one control unit (16) by which at least one drive state of the at least one drive means (10) of the drive unit (8) can be detected, and with at least one display unit (18) functionally assignable to or associated with the drive unit (8), comprising at least one display means (20) which is located on or in the manipulator arm (4), in particular in the area of ​​the drive means (10) of the drive unit (8).is arranged and by which the drive state of the at least one drive means (10) can be represented. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a manipulator device (2).